Free Buyer GuidesUsed Motor Home Lemon Law Lawyer
If you bought your motor home or RV used – either from a dealer or a third-party – can you still make a claim under California's Lemon Law?
It depends. If your RV or motor home is relatively new, it may still be covered by the original manufacturer's warranty, and you can make a claim under California's Lemon law.
On top of that, the dealer may have made a warranty arrangement with you – including both express and implied warranties – which you can leverage to get compensation for repair work and other costs.
But even if you bought the vehicle "as is" (no warranty), if the dealer or seller misled you, lied to you, or failed to disclose pertinent information about the unit, you can seek redress under a different law, the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act.
What limits are imposed on the manufacturer?
The California Lemon Law forbids manufacturers from charging charge for warranty repairs. Also, the manufacturer cannot send you to a repair shop an unreasonable distance from where it sells its RVs and motor homes.
What should you do if you think that your used motor home might be a lemon?
First of all, collect and maintain all correspondence with the manufacturer and/or repair centers from here forward. You can also ask for a copy of repair orders. And you should school yourself on the application of the Lemon Law to motor homes.
Remember these three facts:
- If your RV is out of commission for warranty repairs 30 plus days within the first 18,000 miles or 18 months of ownership (whichever happens first) for chassis related repairs, the motor home will be presumed to be a lemon, and you can request a refund or a new unit.
- If there is a chassis safety related problem that could cause injury or death if not repaired, and the manufacturer tried two or more times to repair the defect unsuccessfully (within that 18 months/18,000 mile timeframe), the California Lemon Law will likewise presume that you have a lemon.
- If you try four or more times to repair a chassis related defect – that effects the use or value of your motor home – within the above time frame, the California Lemon Law will apply.
- Even if the chassis related repairs occur outside of the 18 months/18,000 miles timeframe but during the warranty period or involves a coach or living quarters problem only, you still have the right to get your money back under the California lemon law or the Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
Where can you go for help with more complicated questions about your used motor home Lemon Law issues?
Consult with an experienced California motor home lemon law attorney about your case. Howard Silver has been fighting for consumers since 1987, maintaining a success rate of 95%. A skilled lemon law attorney will negotiate with manufacturers and counteract the tactics they use to intimidate or stonewall unrepresented claimants. Find out more about our services online, or phone us for a free consultation at 1-866-49-LEMON.